Are there any fans of The Elder Scrolls Online here? If so, we have some great news!
From 2026 onwards, ESO will be shifting its focus from large annual expansions to more frequent seasonal updates.
TL;DR
ESO in 2026 — no more yearly expansions, seasonal updates, class reworks, and a new battle pass
The Elder Scrolls Online is switching to a seasonal development model in 2026, replacing large annual expansions with smaller, more frequent updates, major class changes, and a new Tamriel Tomes battle pass.
What’s changing in ESO’s development model
- No more annual expansions — ZeniMax is moving away from one big release per year.
- Seasonal content model with three updates annually.
- Seasons planned for April (Season Zero), July (Season One), and October (Season Two).
- All seasonal content will be free for ESO Plus and Game Pass users.
What seasons will include
- New PvE zones, open-world events, dungeons, trials, and PvP adjustments.
- Smaller regions released over time instead of one massive zone.
- Endgame overhaul and refreshed storylines.
Class and gameplay changes
- Major updates planned for classes like Dragonknight, Werewolf, Warden, and Sorcerer.
- Skill visuals and mechanics will be refined for better clarity and playstyle variety.
- Focus on long-requested balance improvements based on player feedback.
Tamriel Tomes battle pass
- New Battle Pass system tied to normal gameplay activities.
- Rewards are cosmetic-only (outfits, mounts, emotes, decorations).
- Includes free and paid tracks — no pay-to-win elements.
- No expiration pressure: seasons can be completed at your own pace.
Monetisation and player access
- Existing systems like Seals of Endeavour remain.
- Base game now includes popular DLCs like Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Orsinium, and Imperial City.
- Designed to balance monetisation with fair, non-forced progression.
Why ZeniMax made the change
- Allows faster responses to feedback and technical issues.
- Reduces risk compared to one massive yearly release.
- Aligns ESO with modern live-service MMO development.
Important tips: If you’re an ESO Plus or Game Pass user, 2026 is a great time to return — you’ll get frequent free updates, meaningful class changes, and a battle pass you can complete without rushing.
ZeniMax has announced that it will respond more quickly to player feedback, make balance adjustments and resolve long-standing technical issues.
If you want to find out what the new seasons and Tamriel Tomes battle pass will look like, read our guide!
New ESO Development Model in 2026
ZeniMax Online Studios has officially confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will no longer release large, annual story expansions.
So, what will this look like? From 2026 onwards, the game will be developed on a seasonal basis, with smaller but more frequent releases of new content.
To achieve this, the producers have planned three seasons:
- Season Zero in April,
- Season One in July,
- Season Two in October.
Each one will introduce new activities, events and system changes. Importantly, all seasons will be free for Game Pass and ESO Plus users.
Moreover, the base game will include popular DLCs such as Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Orsinium, and Imperial City, giving new players immediate access to key content.
According to the developers, the new model will enable them to respond more quickly to community feedback, address balance and technical issues more effectively.
Season Content, Classes and Gameplay Changes
During each season, players can look forward to new PvE zones, open-world events, dungeons, trials and PvP changes. All of these will be spread out over time in several smaller regions with more refined activities.
ZeniMax has also announced an overhaul of the endgame and a refresh of some storylines.
As well as adding new elements to the game, a lot of emphasis has been placed on balance and character classes. This is why major changes have been announced for the Dragonknight, Werewolf, Warden and Sorcerer, among others.
These modifications will affect both the appearance and functionality of skills, improving the variety of play styles and the clarity of mechanics.
This is one of the most highly anticipated changes among ESO veterans, who have been calling for more substantial class reworks for years. As you can see, the developers have taken the fans’ feedback on board.
Tamriel Tomes, Battle Pass and Monetisation
Alongside the seasons, the producents will introduce a new Battle Pass system called Tamriel Tomes. The system is based on challenges and tasks completed during normal gameplay, the rewards will mainly be cosmetic items such as outfits, mounts, decorations, emotes and customisation items.
The Battle Pass will offer both free and paid reward paths, and the studio has emphasised that there will be no pay-to-win elements. Importantly, there will be no time pressure, which means unused seasons will not be lost and players can earn rewards at their own pace.
In addition to the new features, players will still be able to use old elements, such as Seals of Endeavour, which can be used to earn in-game items through activity without spending real money. The system is designed to strike a balance between monetisation and fair access to rewards, encouraging players to play at a comfortable pace.
Why Did ZeniMax Decide to Make This Change?
Let’s talk about the reasons behind this change.
It’s all about keeping up with the times. This new development model is in line with the trend of long-term game services, as seen with Rainbow Six Siege and other major MMO titles for years.
The situation at the studio itself is also significant, as it may have prompted ZeniMax to adopt a more flexible, “leaner” approach to production and better resource management.
Thanks to the introduction of seasons, producers can plan their work in shorter cycles, respond more quickly to feedback and mitigate the risks associated with releasing one major expansion per year.
Conclusion
That’s all you need to know about The Elder Scrolls Online’s transition to a seasonal system and its free updates, as well as the new Tamriel Tomes battle pass.
If you want to explore all the new features at your own pace and keep up with the latest events in Tamriel, now is the perfect time to return to the game or start your ESO adventure!